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FUNOTIONS OF MATTER AND THE LIVING
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the disposition of agreeableness or affliction is pleasure or pain. The continuance of respiration in a being owing to the presence of the age-determining karma is called living. The cutting off or destruction of respiration is death. Matter renders help to the soul in these respects. How? These arise in the presence of material causes. It is contended that the word 'upagraha' in the sutra is unnecessary, as this section deals with 'upakāra'. But it is not unnecessary. It is intended to indicate the help rendered by matter to material objects. For instance, bronze is purified by certain ashes, water is purified by clearing nuts called kataka and steel is tempered with the help of water. The word 'ca' (also) is intended to include other effects. It sums up another help also rendered by matter. Just as bodies are constituted by matter, the sense-organs such as the eyes also are constituted by matter.
(21)
After indicating the assistance given by matter, the help rendered by souls is described. परस्परोपग्रहो जीवानाम्
1 88 H Parasparopagraho jīvānām 21. (The function) of souls is to help one another.
The word paraspara means reciprocity of action. Parasparasya upagraha means rendering help to one another. That is, the help rendered by the living to one another. What is it? It is mutual help between the master and the servant, the teacher and the taught. The master renders help to the servants by giving them money. And they serve their master by doing him good and protecting him from evil. The preceptor teaches what is good here and in the next world (birth) and makes his disciples follow his teachings. And the disciples benefit their preceptor by their devoted service. What is the purpose of the repetition of the word 'upagraha'? It indicates that living beings are also the cause of pleasure and pain, and life and death of one another.
If every existing thing must be of help, what is the help rendered by time which is also existent ?
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